Christian World Adoption » China http://www.cwa.org/blog We Believe That God is in Control of Our Agency and Your Adoption Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:38:04 +0000 en hourly 1 Help From Friends and Family http://www.cwa.org/blog/index.php/help-from-friends-and-family/ http://www.cwa.org/blog/index.php/help-from-friends-and-family/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:55:35 +0000 Mark Lucas http://www.cwa.org/blog/?p=566

The following post submitted by CWA adoptive dad, Louis Fawcett/China Program. Thank you, Louis!  If you are interested in allowing us to post your CWA adoption-related story, please let me know!

BinBin White Swan Lobby
People are always asking me, “How can we help adoptive families?”
There are many ways to help, but taking food to them during the first few weeks home helps so much!

My wife and I came home from China with child #2 to discover that the church had set up a schedule for bringing us dinner.  They used this free website — http://www.takethemameal.com/ which allowed us to go online to see who was coming and what they would bring.  We could even note food allergies and preferences.

Could we have survived without this food? Sure.  But was it a BIG help during the adjustment process? YES.  Plus, this ministry helped people be more aware of adoption and the challenges families face when they come home.

So the next time someone comes home with an adopted child, pray for them and then start cooking!  This simple act makes more of a difference than you think.

Peace and Love in Christ,
Louis Fawcett

Build Acacia Village. Be Acacia Village.
Director of Development
Christian World Foundation

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Myth 1:  When you adopt a baby, they will have no issues or problems because they are young.

I love this one…as if babies are immune to their early experiences or that they are somehow numb.  If we relate this to the old computer adage GIGO (garbage in, garbage out), our early adopted babies are influenced in great part by their early experiences (good or bad), and can behave accordingly (good or bad) later in life.  Contrary to the myth, baby’s brains are more vulnerable.  From before birth forward, God wired us to be relational beings, and baby’s brains are wired and ready to grow correctly through wonderful, nurturing, sensory-rich experiences.  These experiences wire the baby brain for success later in life.  When the baby brain does not get these wonderful experiences the brain then begins faulty wiring.  Why…you may ask?

The human brain develops from the bottom up.  The brain stem develops first, and then up until four years of age a child’s brain is 90% adult size.  As Dr. Bruce Perry said, “The organizing brain is very malleable and responsive to the environment.  This means that of all the experiences throughout the life of an individual, the organizing experiences of early childhood have the most powerful and enduring effects on brain organization and functioning!”

There is so much hope and help for our children.  God’s miracle of the human brain is malleability.  Is God calling YOU to help a child heal?  From my personal experience, it is so hard, but truly one of the greatest miracles I’ve ever experienced.

]]> http://www.cwa.org/blog/index.php/melissas-myth-busters/feed/ 2 God is in Control http://www.cwa.org/blog/index.php/god-is-in-control/ http://www.cwa.org/blog/index.php/god-is-in-control/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:15:52 +0000 Mark Lucas http://www.cwa.org/blog/?p=98 Here at CWA we believe God is in control of our agency and your adoption (before, during, and after.)  That’s why no matter how the devil tries to derail our work through economic uncertainty, delays, or fluctuation in the international adoption climate,  we continue to trust in the Lord.  Adoption is God’s idea and therefore worth pursuing!

Everyday we work with families  struggling with financial fears, timing, discouragement, family dynamics, and more.  Yet for every story of struggle, we  hear two examples of how God uses these same struggles to help families grow in their faith and trust in Him.  It is not unusual to hear about donations for the exact amount  needed arriving at the just the right time.  We  hear how God uses a document or travel delay to ensure a families are available for a high school graduation, better ticket prices, family emergency or other important event that may otherwise have been missed.

The Lord has chosen you to embark on a journey of blessings and personal and family growth.  Are you trusting Him, His perfect timing, and His provision; or are you fretting, worrying or otherwise allowing the devil to distract you from God’s joy in adoption?  When you are feeling discouraged, turn to Proverbs 3:5-6 for encouragement:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Have a great Monday!

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